Transcript Highlights:

• And the lack of funding jeopardizes continuing services such as public safety services, youth and elderly
• support services, and parks and infrastructure improvements.
• To be able to generate the revenue necessary to fund essential services.
• Some have to hire staff or invest in the technology. There are real costs associated with that.
• SB 79 covers fewer than 50, those of the very best service in the state.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard six bills. SB 828 by Senator Cabaldon would require fireworks license applicants to disclose storage locations and prove they have local permits, with the state fire marshal notifying local agencies when permits are denied or revoked. Supporters, including fire chiefs and fire marshals, said it would close dangerous enforcement gaps exposed by recent fireworks explosions; there was no opposition, and the bill passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 799 by Senator Allen would make technical and governance changes to the South Bay Regional Housing Trust, including more flexibility on board leadership and allowing non-elected alternates under certain conditions. Supporters said the changes would help the new housing trust function more effectively; questions focused on accountability for non-elected alternates, and the bill passed 6-0 to the Senate Floor. SB 762 by Senator Arreguín would authorize the city of Hercules to ask voters to approve up to a 1% sales tax increase to fund local services and infrastructure. Supporters said Hercules has limited revenue options, while some senators cautioned about how such measures are presented to voters; the bill passed 5-2 to the Senate Floor. SB 722 by Senator Wahab would add protections for mobile home residents from displacement tied to transit-oriented development and redevelopment, with supporters describing it as an urgent cleanup to protect vulnerable seniors, veterans, and low-income residents. There was broad support and no opposition, and it passed 7-0 to Appropriations. SB 222 by Senator Wiener would streamline permitting for heat pump water heaters and HVAC systems, with supporters arguing it would reduce costs and speed electrification, and opponents raising concerns about local control, fees, liability, and HOA authority. After extended debate, it passed 4-1 to Appropriations. SB 677 by Senator Wiener would make technical clarifications to SB 79’s transit-oriented housing provisions; local government groups opposed or opposed unless amended, warning it could expand SB 79’s scope, but the bill passed 5-2 to Appropriations.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have expertise in the newest technologies.
• </c><00:47:36.319><c> can</c> Solutions because the technology can Solutions because the technology can
• </c> advancing to a waster energy technology advancing to a waster energy technology that<00:47:44.920
• He said Hilo has the best technology for dumping rubbish, and K?
• He said Hilo has the best technology for dumping rubbish, and not only Hilo but K?

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We wish him best wishes for his future and honor him for his years of service. of service to South Texas
• , internet access services. or telecommunications services referred to the committee on ways and means
• Human Services.
• Human Services.
• services or for the community on human services, HB 2939 by Jens of Dallas, relating to the expansion

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a public utility that provides services to over 800,000 people in Jefferson County.
• Parrot, for coming today and explaining MSD and its scope of work and services.
• rate increase on a service charge from 5% to 19% in one month.
• rate increase on a service charge from 5% to 19% in one month.
• rate increase on a service charge from 5% to 19% in one month.

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00 Attendance Roll Call 00:04 HB 387 Discussion 01:06 HB 387 Roll Call Vote 28:30 HCR 22 Discussion 29:26 HCR 22 Roll Call Vote 31:09 HB 519 Discussion 35:36 HB 519 Roll Call Vote 38:37, 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 387, which would amend MSD governance and spending rules in Louisville. The sponsor said the bill was intended to add oversight and accountability in response to large MSD rate increases, though the original rate-approval provision had been removed because of concerns about contracts and bond ratings in Oldham and Bullitt counties. MSD Executive Director Tony Parrott testified that MSD is a public utility serving more than 800,000 people through wastewater, stormwater, and flood protection services, and argued that most rate pressure comes from federal and state mandates tied to a consent decree and other orders. He said MSD already provides annual notice and bond approvals through Metro Council, offers customer assistance programs, and needs flexibility for advertising, public notices, recruitment, and compliance. Members discussed stormwater funding, aging infrastructure, flood control, and the bill’s limits on advertising and other expenditures. The committee substitute was adopted and the bill passed on a roll call vote. The committee then considered House Concurrent Resolution 22, as substituted, which expressed support for exploring nuclear energy and included language noting Kentucky’s ability to use nuclear waste, uranium tailings, and spent fuel in ways described by the sponsor as cleaner. Supporters said Kentucky faces an energy shortage and that nuclear, including small modular reactors, should be part of the state’s future energy mix. Some members said they would support the resolution but wanted a feasibility study or noted that it does not carry the force of law. The resolution passed. Finally, the committee began House Bill 519, sponsored by Representative Fugate, which would prevent utility companies from passing demolition costs for retired coal-fired or fossil-fuel plants on to ratepayers. The sponsor cited sharply rising electricity bills in eastern Kentucky, the decline in coal employment, and the burden of demolition costs from the Big Sandy plant being placed on customers. He argued that utilities should absorb those costs rather than shifting them to ratepayers. The bill was introduced with a motion and second, and the committee was preparing to hear further questions and testimony when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• services, and families in native services, a lot of our prevention programs like Pay Center for Girls
• They’re delivering the special education services.
• The other things I’ll kind of point out here: all of our kids, they’re getting ESE services, ELL services
• The other things I'll kind of point out here, all of our kids, they're getting ESE services, ELL services
• It's cool because of the technology of it.

Summary: The committee heard a presentation from Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Eric Hall on the Florida Scholars Academy, a new unified education model for youth in residential commitment programs. He explained that the academy replaced the prior decentralized district-run system with a contracted model through Florida Virtual School, allowing individualized blended learning, real-time progress monitoring, expanded special education services, and a broader course catalog including dual enrollment, CTE, GED testing, and postsecondary pathways through the Florida Youth College partnership with Tallahassee State College. Hall said the department is using data to focus on academic achievement, workforce credentials, and peer-group change as strategies to reduce recidivism, and reported early results including 60 diplomas or GEDs, a 5.5% teacher vacancy rate, and progress-monitoring gains for most students. Hall also reviewed implementation of House Bill 1181 on swift accountability and juvenile justice reforms. He said the law strengthened pre-arrest delinquency citation use, raised the target for eligible citations to 70%, required written justification for releasing youth charged with certain felony firearm offenses, and directed the department to develop a firearm-offending curriculum focused on avoidance and consequences. He described a new statewide graduated sanctions matrix for probation technical violations, intended to provide quicker and more consistent responses without overburdening courts. He said early data showed reductions in weapons/firearm offenses and auto theft, and that the department had conducted circuit-level outreach to law enforcement, courts, and providers to support implementation. Members asked about the number of unauthorized alien children in detention or residential care, teacher vacancies and whether instruction continues when staff are absent, screen-time and supervision concerns with laptops, and whether students are reentering local schools with improved academic performance. Hall said he did not have data on immigration status, that FLVS and classroom staff provide continuity when teachers are absent, that devices are checked in and out and security has been tightened, and that the department is still early in implementation but is hearing positive anecdotal feedback from parents. Vice Chair Smith asked for more detail on the firearm curriculum, and Hall offered to provide it. The committee took no formal votes and adjourned after no public testimony was offered.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number one, it's making much better use of technology.
• Are you looking into how to apply technology algorithms, for example, to go through all the five?
• I think we are proud of our customer service. We have typically a very quick response time.
• And we put up with this on almost a per media. basis, is that technology is ahead of the law.
• What's the status of development of that service.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will remember this was related to the discontinuing of telecom service when another service
• I am employed by Lumen Technologies.
• Those alternatives may be Lumen's own service, a technology it provides, or another telecommunications
• He said the alternatives must provide the same services, whether that is 9-1-1 service or the ability
• That technology is going away.

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our service area spans a thousand miles.
• So I don't know of genetic technology, DNA technology, as it exists today, that will allow me to do that
• So part of the reason we have developed this technology.
• I think it should be noted that according to the human services hearing, 125.
• So three billion dollars is a lot and I understand we have a service.

Bills: HB5, HJR3, HB155, HB513, HB5, HB155

Keywords: dementia, research, health care, Texas Institute, grants, medical breakthroughs, oversight, prevention, funding, healthcare, Texas, autopsy, confidentiality, public records, medical examiner, law enforcement, HB 513, surgical smoke, surgical plume, smoke evacuation

Transcript Highlights:

• / transcription artifact: "e"] e e [Music] Welcome to the Committee on Economic Development and Technology
• We believe this grant program will definitely help our small local chambers in providing the services
• We have Parac Technologies and Makai Ocean Engineering in support. Aloha.
• I represent Parac Technologies as well as Makai Ocean Engineering.
• </c><01:35:12.320><c> Development</c> Hawaii technology Development Hawaii technology Development Corporation

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee on Economic Development and Technology met on February 7, 2025, to hear testimony on several bills and later take up amendments and votes. HB 1405, HB 1406, and HB 1407 drew broad support from business, housing, utility, and development groups, with no opposition noted on those measures. Testifiers generally said the bills would streamline permitting, improve coordination, and expand support for chambers of commerce and small businesses. After recess, the chair recommended amendments to each bill, including changes to broaden eligibility, add reporting requirements, and include funding and staffing notes. HB 1405 was amended to allow certain projects with one state and one county permit to qualify, require annual DBEDT reports to the Legislature, and note one full-time position and $125,000 in funding; the committee voted to pass it with amendments. HB 1406 was amended to move the intergovernmental task force from DBEDT to the House Legislature, add a Speaker-appointed chair, and include a $125,000 appropriation note; it also passed with amendments. HB 1407 was amended to convert the chamber support from a grant process to an RFP process and require a 1-to-5 match on a $100,000 award; it too passed with amendments. In each case, the chair’s recommendation was adopted, with Representative Tam excused. The committee also heard HB 796, a tax-credit review bill, which drew no support and 12 opposition testimonies with three comments. Opponents, including SAG-AFTRA Hawaii, Hawaii Children’s Action Network, Catholic Charities Hawaii, and the Tax Foundation of Hawaii, argued that automatic sunset provisions or broad tax-credit cuts would burden working families and that existing review mechanisms already exist under state law. The Department of Taxation and DBEDT offered technical comments, and the Tax Foundation suggested the bill’s goals might be better addressed by cleaning up the existing review process. Later, the committee heard HB 303, which had 17 supporters and no opposition. Testifiers from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Queen’s Health System, and the Hawaii State Chiropractors Association supported the measure, with the chiropractors asking to be included in eligibility. The Hawaii State Center for Nursing said the program had been successful for five years and had room to expand. HB 577 also drew support, with the Department of Taxation offering comments and the Tax Foundation noting technical issues. HB 949 generated mixed testimony: Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce supported it, while Hawaii Children’s Action Network raised concerns about the bill’s effects and the lack of fiscal analysis; Sugar Creek Capital also supported the measure and clarified that the credit would not offset the GET. Finally, HB 933 and HB 959 were heard, with HB 933 receiving six support testimonies and comments focused on grocery tax relief and food insecurity, and HB 959 drawing strong support from labor and advocacy groups for its broad tax relief package, while the Tax Foundation and Hawaii Appleseed urged caution about the proposed 50% GET increase and asked for clearer fiscal analysis.

Transcript Highlights:

• In order to, we'll be looking at caseload technology, caseloads, technology modernization efforts that
• And expanded services may be most sustainable.
• And it seems like a pretty important service that they provide.
• enough money to create new services?
• Services and how they're being maintained is really a point for me.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The committee will remember this was related to the discontinuing of telecom service when another service
• I am employed by Lumen Technologies.
• The committee will remember this was related to the discontinuing of telecom service when another service
• He said the alternatives may be the company’s own service, a technology it provides, or another telecommunications
• That technology is going away.

Summary: The Senate State Affairs Committee began by approving the March 11 and March 13, 2026 minutes and then advanced the gubernatorial reappointment of Bud Tracy to the State Building Authority to the Senate floor with a recommendation for confirmation. The committee then heard House Bill 650, a federalism-related measure described by the sponsor and Idaho Farm Bureau testimony as reaffirming constitutional limits on federal and state power; it was sent to the floor with a due pass recommendation after brief discussion and no opposition. The committee next took up House Bill 674, which would streamline telecom service discontinuance by relying on the FCC process rather than duplicating review at the Idaho PUC. Lumen representative Rick Gutierrez testified that the FCC process already requires customer notice, identification of alternatives, public comment, and review of whether service can be discontinued without leaving customers without options; supporters argued the bill removes duplication, while opponents said it shifts final decision-making away from Idaho and could weaken state oversight. After debate over state sovereignty, consumer protection, and whether the FCC or PUC should be the final decision-maker, the bill passed 6-3 and was sent to the floor. The committee then considered Senate Bill 1365, which would exempt certain religious organizations from donor-disclosure requirements when they participate in ballot-measure advocacy, so long as related spending stays under 10% of prior-year receipts. The sponsor, Secretary of State Phil McGrane, and several pastors argued the current rules chill church participation and force disclosure of unrelated donors; opponents raised concerns about transparency, enforcement, and the possibility of churches becoming vehicles for political spending. A motion to send the bill to the 14th order failed, and a substitute motion to hold the bill in committee passed 5-4. Finally, Senate Bill 1411, expanding disclosure rules to paid in-person canvassing and related political activity, was introduced as a transparency measure aimed at paid campaign efforts; it was sent to the floor with a do-pass recommendation, with Senators Toews and Shippy recorded in opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• I would have asked about her service on the board.
• We can use technology to do that, but...
• That they cannot provide these services.
• Again. that they cannot provide these services.
• , we do not license the scope of services.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:12:43.360><c> is</c> prevention in an age where technology is prevention in an age where technology
• </c><00:12:58.320><c> cell</c> appropriately use this technology cell appropriately use this technology
• </c><00:20:46.960><c> use</c> ban to Foster responsible technology use ban to Foster responsible technology
• banning technology.
• Our approach includes, first, technology integration.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Numerous advancements to the world in science, technology, and rocket propulsion over the past six decades
• Technology magnet for Alabama and the Southeast.
• Grumman, Baden Engineering, the Boeing Company, Raytheon, RTX, Special Aerospace Services, United Launch
• Space is a fantastic way to excite students about science and technology.
• Senator Weaver: May the Senate confirm Kevin Kid to the Board of Rehabilitation Services.

Bills: SB 26, SJR 36, SB 26, SB 616, SB 565, SB 384, SB 28, SR 109, SR 122, SR 126, SR 130, SR 136, SR 137, SR 141, SR 142, SCR 20

Keywords: teacher compensation, education funding, public school educators, teacher retention, teacher designation, aquifer, water management, Edwards Aquifer, sustainability, regulatory framework, SB 565, Texas Water Code, TCEQ, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, compliance agreement, enforcement suspension, utility consolidation, regionalization, water supply, sewer

Transcript Highlights:

• services and HIV supports.
• The report for information technology projects for service delivery is now almost four months late.
• And then about 21% receive their services through fee-for-service.
• </c><00:59:49.160><c> so</c> services through fee for service so services through fee for service so
• There are services, one example being services delivered by an Indian Health Service, where the federal

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And these particular units really provide enhanced services, focused services, and those services can
• Do faith services fall into programs? What's programming and what's treatment?
• Those are typically done through the faith services.
• So those are all included in there, but we did distinguish those clinical services.
• They can submit sick call slips via the tablets, really automating that medical services.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The commission approved the July 11 minutes and then received a detailed follow-up presentation from the Department of Correction on facility footprint, mission-driven housing, programming, and technology. Commissioner Jenkins and Deputy Commissioner Peterson explained recent and planned facility changes, including the closures of Walpole, MCI Cedar Junction, and MCI Concord, the transition of the Plymouth Section 35/Mass Act program to Health and Human Services, the return of Bay State to DOC control for possible future use, and the Shattuck Hospital move to East Newton Pavilion. Members asked about operational capacity, the exclusion of support beds from occupancy figures, and the status of mothballed or unused facilities. Framingham drew particular attention because of its historically low women’s population and planned renovations; members raised concerns about the cost and the need to consider the broader women’s correctional system. A major portion of the meeting focused on mission-driven units and evidence-based programming. DOC described specialized units for health services, nursing care, clinical stabilization, mental health, residential treatment, protective custody, reentry, emerging adults, education, and substance use recovery, and noted that security threat group support beds are not used. Staff explained the distinction between general population beds and support beds, and between programming and treatment. They said core recidivism-reduction programs are based on risk-need responsivity and COMPAS assessments, with Spectrum Health Systems as the current vendor, and presented recidivism data showing lower reoffending among participants who completed programs such as violence reduction, criminal thinking, and the Correctional Recovery Academy. For women, they highlighted the pathways model at MCI Framingham, which combines trauma-informed, gender-responsive services, and reported strong outcomes for those engaged for at least 26 weeks. Members asked about how needs are identified and counted, how declinations are handled, and how the department distinguishes completion from ongoing maintenance. DOC said participation is voluntary, individuals are re-recommended over time, and completion is recorded in the system when criteria are met. They also discussed educational supports for learning disabilities and trauma, including IEP/504 coordination, tutoring, and a new school psychologist for testing. Questions were raised about family reunification programming, and DOC pointed to family-focused services, mediation, Read to Me Mommy, and the Brave unit for young fathers. Sheriff Cabral and Sheriff Cochie praised the presentation and emphasized the importance of family reunification and the realities of trauma in incarcerated people’s lives. The final section highlighted the expanded use of tablets across all facilities. DOC said tablets now support free phone calls, emails, video visits, surveys, educational content, medical updates, sick-call requests, and an earned-good-time app, while also helping with communication during facility closures and with ongoing programming. Staff said the tablets are used both for learning and recreation, and that more than half of the incarcerated population uses them monthly for educational purposes. Members discussed whether user feedback or “reviews” of programs could help increase participation, and DOC said tablet-based surveys make that possible. The meeting ended with general agreement that the department has expanded programming and technology substantially and is using them to support reentry, communication, and facility operations.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's why access to financial services is so important.
• A basic banking service we previously had access to.
• Banks don't offer the services people want.
• Let's say $100 on technology in terms of compliance.
• I came from the financial services industry.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for those facilities that provide that service, because time is everything when we're doing
• These are quick, even in the urban area, just quick self-service purchases.
• The result of all this is that this service is now gone for people in that community that need it.
• Representative Busick, I think there is technology there.
• Representative Busek, I think there is technology there.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• With the advent of technology and the growing use of this technology, it's becoming more worrisome.
• </c> this bill, biometric technologies this bill, biometric technologies threaten<00:12:28.240><c> to
• </c> service does not occur over the weekend. service does not occur over the weekend.
• </c> It doesn't prohibit the use of technology. It is not anti-technology, and neither is SAVE.
• </c><01:30:04.040><c> and</c> very hard to find those services and very hard to find those services and

Bills: HF3951, HF4005, HF962, HF4585, HF3870, HF4542, HF3893, HF4293, HF4075, HF4057, HF3809

Keywords: submetered utility service, tenant rights, digital payment, eviction protection, housing policy, biometric data, consent, data protection, civil penalties, privacy laws, HF4585, Minnesota, harassment restraining order, HRO, restraining order, temporary restraining order, petitioner notice, service of process, law enforcement notification, sheriff

Transcript Highlights:

• services, or personal care services, conditioned on the payment of an entrance fee in addition to or
• I'm at the Consumer Technology Association.
• The ESIP program provides an array of services such as developmental services, occupational and physical
• service plan.
• Services such as athletics, extracurricular activities, and counselors, services that wealthier districts

Summary: The committee heard public hearings on several bills. HB 2675 would eliminate a number of state accounts and transfer remaining balances from two accounts to the general fund, while also changing how revenues in the Salary Insurance Contribution Increase Revolving Account are deposited; OFM testified in support and there was no public opposition. SHB 1903 would create a statewide low-income energy assistance program through the Department of Commerce, funded by the general fund and Climate Commitment Act revenues; supporters said it would address Washington’s underfunded and uneven energy assistance system, while utilities and rural co-ops raised concerns about cost, reporting burdens, utility authority, and implementation details. SHB 2384 would require actuarial reviews for certain continuing care retirement communities with prepaid life care contracts; residents and consumer advocates supported the added transparency, while providers opposed the added review costs and said they already pay for actuarial work. SHB 1982 would expand the ability of tribal members to vacate convictions tied to treaty rights, add OPD representation and a tribal liaison position, and then an amendment was described that would remove the liaison position and eliminate the fiscal impact; the sponsor and OPD supported the bill, and testimony emphasized correcting past treaty-rights convictions. The committee also heard SHB 2389, a broad juvenile justice bill that would expand suspended disposition options, create midpoint review hearings, reduce some robbery ranges, and address juvenile rehabilitation capacity and transfers. Supporters argued it would reduce racial disparities, favor community-based rehabilitation when safe, and improve outcomes, while prosecutors, sheriffs, counties, judges, cities, victim advocates, and some tribal law enforcement warned it would weaken accountability for serious violent offenses, increase court and local government burdens, and shift costs without funding. Several witnesses and the bill sponsor discussed proposed amendments, including removing presumptions and the mid-sentence review. The committee then heard SHB 2439, which would raise tobacco and vapor product license fees, create a responsible vendor program, add manufacturer certification and enforcement provisions, restrict certain products and sales practices, and redirect tobacco tax revenue to public health, cancer research, and youth prevention accounts; public health and prevention groups supported it, while retailers and industry representatives opposed the fee increases and some of the new restrictions. Finally, HB 2681 would sharply increase cannabis license fees and index them to inflation; OFM supported the change as aligning fees with program costs, while cannabis businesses and associations opposed or sought changes to the fee structure and CPI indexing. The committee also heard a briefing on SHB 2215, which would require the Caseload Forecast Council to forecast SNAP and state food assistance caseloads in light of upcoming federal cost-sharing changes; no questions were raised at the briefing.